RAFAEL NADAL admitted yesterday he had been “suffering” for 15 days with a sore back and could not guarantee he’ll play the Australian Open, with the injury threatening to derail his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam.
The world number two sat out Spain’s ATP Cup campaign in warmup week, and he hasn’t played a competitive match since the ATP Finals in London in November.
His only appearance since was an exhibition game against Dominic Thiem in Adelaide nine days ago, where he first experienced stiffness in his back.
“Not great obviously,” he said of the back injury on the eve of the first Grand Slam of the year. “It’s true that for the last 15 days I have been suffering.
“In the beginning, the muscle was just a little bit tired but I feel now a little bit more stiff than usual.”
The 34-year-old has been hitting the practice courts at Melbourne Park in a desperate bid to be fit and firing for the Australian Open, which starts today.
Nadal insisted the injury was “not serious” but remained unsure whether he would take to the court for his first-round match against Laslo Djere of Serbia, which is scheduled for tomorrow.
“The muscle is still tight, so it is difficult to play with freedom of movement,” he said.
(SD-Agencies)
